Community prevention practitioners are cultural brokers who understand the values and norms of their community. Current research demonstrates that when communities effectively implement evidence-based interventions to prevent youth access to substances, communities also benefit from a reduction in firearm-related violence. This presentation will explore how five core values (Safety, Protection, Responsibility, Freedom, and Community) expressed by owners of firearms can act as a bridging tool to strengthen and expand substance misuse prevention efforts, prevent suicide by firearms, and promote safer communities.
This presentation will highlight existing coalition efforts that promote safety by reducing easy access to firearms and medications. The Safer Homes, Suicide Aware program educates the public on the potential deadliness of easy access to firearms and medications if available during a time of crisis. Led by Forefront Suicide Prevention and the Second Amendment Foundation, the Safer Homes Coalitions is comprised of firearms retailers, health care providers, and suicide prevention experts who came together around a single goal to save lives.
Jeffrey Chen-Ning Sung, M.D., is a board-certified psychiatrist and a clinical assistant professor with the UW Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences. His work focuses on education and training in the areas of suicide prevention and suicide care. Particular interests include supporting clinicians who have experienced the loss of a patient to suicide and building knowledge among healthcare professionals about cultural aspects of firearm ownership and use. Dr. Sung earned his M.D. at Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois. His clinical interests focus on psychotherapy. He has taught psychodynamic theory, suicide risk assessment, and managing response to patient suicide.
Brett Bass is the Safer Homes, Suicide Aware Program Manager. He joins Forefront after years of volunteering on the Firearms Subcommittee of the Safer Homes task force. Brett enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve in 2006, completing Military Police School in 2007 as the Honor Graduate of his class. He reported to MWSS-473, Det. A in Fresno, CA shortly thereafter and was mobilized to active duty. Upon moving to Washington, Brett transferred to H&S Co. 4th LSB out of Ft. Lewis. He deployed to Latvia with his battalion in 2010, Kuwait (from 2011-2012) and Afghanistan (from 2012-2013) as an individual augment with MARCENT.
Contact Clarissa Lam Yuen ([email protected]) if you have additional questions about the content related to this webinar.
